The First Ladies

Written by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Narrated by Robin Miles and Tavia Gilbert

The Instant New York Times Bestseller! 

A novel about the extraordinary partnership between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune—an unlikely friendship that changed the world, from the New York Times bestselling authors of the Good Morning America Book Club pick The Personal Librarian.

The daughter of formerly enslaved parents, Mary McLeod Bethune refuses to back down as white supremacists attempt to thwart her work. She marches on as an activist and an educator, and as her reputation grows she becomes a celebrity, revered by titans of business and recognized by U.S. Presidents. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is awestruck and eager to make her acquaintance. Initially drawn together because of their shared belief in women’s rights and the power of education, Mary and Eleanor become fast friends confiding their secrets, hopes and dreams—and holding each other’s hands through tragedy and triumph.
 
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected president, the two women begin to collaborate more closely, particularly as Eleanor moves toward her own agenda separate from FDR, a consequence of the devastating discovery of her husband’s secret love affair. Eleanor becomes a controversial First Lady for her outspokenness, particularly on civil rights. And when she receives threats because of her strong ties to Mary, it only fuels the women’s desire to fight together for justice and equality.
 
This is the story of two different, yet equally formidable, passionate, and committed women, and the way in which their singular friendship helped form the foundation for the modern civil rights movement.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Audio
• Release date: Jun 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9780593684269

Marie Benedict

Marie Benedict is a New York Times– and USA Today–bestselling author of historical fiction, including The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, The Only Woman in the Room, Carnegie’s Maid, and The Other Einstein. With Victoria Christopher Murray, Benedict co-wrote the Good Morning America Book Club Pick and New York Times bestseller, The Personal Librarian, and The First Ladies, also a New York Times bestseller. Writing as Heather Terrell, she has also published the novels The Chrysalis, The Map Thief, and Brigid of Kildare. Benedict lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her family.  

Reviews for The First Ladies

[Joyce Harout · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The narrators were good but I just couldn't get into the story.

[bell7_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The author team that wrote The Personal Librarian returns in this story that imagines the friendship between First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and First Lady of the Struggle Mary McLeod Bethune.

Covering a couple of decades from when these women met to just after Franklin Delano Roosevelt's death, the book primarily focuses on the relationship and doesn't delve into any one issue or historical moment in depth. Told in alternating narratives from Eleanor Roosevelt to Mary McLeod Bethune and back again, with several months in between and several flashbacks filling in events in between, the story skims the surface as a result. At the end I was somewhat confused about what we know happened and what was simply imagined. The authors, for example, explain that many of the conversations they have Eleanor and Mary have about race are actually based on conversations they themselves have had. Still, I'm glad I read it and have a greater appreciation for some of the groundwork that happened before the Civil Rights movement in 1960s through the work of Mary McLeod Bethune and influence of Eleanor Roosevelt.

[threadnsong · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a well-researched historical novel by two acclaimed novelists. They began their foray into describing the perils of racial inequity in their first collaborative book, "The Personal Librarian," and are up-front with the encounters they had with their readers during their book tours. So they collaborated again and we now know that Mary MacLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt were good friends. Which came as quite a pleasant surprise to me.

And rightly so - they were strong forces of nature in an era when women could be strong, they just couldn't be seen being strong. Especially not in the South, and especially not when one's mother-in-law is indulgent to her son, Franklin. We see both Bethune and Roosevelt through their eyes as the chapters alternate between each woman and her encounters with her family or in meetings with one another. The time between the Depression and World War II are the backdrop to this novel and chapters may be days or months apart, depending on what actions or meetings each woman had.

But, and this is what lost a half star for me, the constant surprise/astonishment/realization or moment of understanding/acceptance became too much. Too repeated, too much a part of each chapter, each shared experience, each conversation, each visit to one another's home or office or tea room. Yes, I get that it was during the era of Jim Crow. Yes, I get that having the First Lady photographed with Dr. Bethune was seen by many as the height of impropriety. Maybe the authors were responding to their audience members who asked "How do I create this friendship that you have?" with this book. But I felt that the tale of these women's accomplishments and friendship could have been just as strong with a little less repetition.

[booklover1801 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In "The First Ladies," Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray explore the bond between FDR'S wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Mary McLeod Bethune, the famed Black educator, civil rights advocate, writer, and businesswoman. Roosevelt and Bethune had a long and fruitful friendship that spanned decades. Benedict and Murray state that, although they thoroughly researched their subjects, they changed some facts and dates, and invented much of the dialogue. However, what the authors do, with considerable success, is show how, from 1927 through the 1940s, Mrs. Roosevelt and Mrs. Bethune grew to like, respect, and learn from one another. They devised strategies to promote the causes that were dear to their hearts and worked together tirelessly to achieve their goals.

In alternating chapters, Eleanor and Mary offer their perspectives concerning the significant events in their personal and professional lives. Eleanor was, at first, an insecure person whose mother bullied her, and whose husband, Franklin, cheated on her. Nevertheless, she refused to be marginalized, and decided that her mission in life was to use her position to speak out on behalf of those whose voices were silenced, thanks to society's prejudice and indifference. Mary McLeod Bethune raised funds to establish her own college, and spearheaded programs to create jobs and improve social services for Black people. Although Franklin Roosevelt did not always accede to Eleanor and Mary's entreaties—especially since he had to contend with bigoted Southern Democrats who held considerable power—he did what he believed was prudent, considering the political climate at the time.

Some of the verbal exchanges between Eleanor and Mary are stilted and heavy-handed. However, as the story progresses, we get a sense of the genuine regard and trust that developed between these female activists. Their collaboration takes place against the backdrop of the Great Depression; FDR's ascension to the presidency; the rise of Hitler; the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor; and a toxic climate in America, where too many Black people lacked the opportunity to get a good education, earn enough money to live comfortably, or serve their country as full-fledged members of the military. With humor, warmth, and poignancy, "The First Ladies" captures the essence of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune. They were brilliant, courageous, and compassionate pioneers who joined forces to fight for racial equality.

[jtsolakos · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Two great women joined forces to fight inequality. A part of history that most people don't know about. An interesting read but can be slow in parts.

[shazjhb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A factionalized story about the relationship between Eleanore Roosevelt and Mary Bisoon. This is a relationship between a black woman and a very famous white woman. It is about their work but it is more about a friendship.

[prudencegoodwife · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is well-researched and while a novel, gives anyone who is a student of history and the First Ladies a glimpse into the rich friendship between Mary McLeod Bethune and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Authors Benedict and Murray do a great job of comparing and contrasting the views of both women as they recorded their diaries on same days and events, and other days. This is a book you can't put down.

[carrieida-803117 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An engaging and insightful historical fiction novel that provides insight into world and thought of Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune both how they thought and worked independently plus they worked and supported each other for causes they both believed in. Yes, the authors omit they had to insert some facts but overall the book provided a true insight into the work these women accomplished.

[littlel-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful, immersive, unflinching amount of racism, civil rights and the relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Mary McLeod Bethune.

[carolfoisset · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very interesting historical fiction. I enjoy learning more about Elenor Roosevelt's life and accomplishments, she is one of my heroes. I did not know about her involvement in racial relations and her friendship with Mary. I will definitely read The Personal Librarian by these authors!

[mishker-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mary McLeod Bethune, a child of enslaved parents, has struggled endlessly for equal rights. Already a staunch advocate, activist, entrepreneur and educator, an invitation to a luncheon puts Mary into contact with Eleanor Roosevelt, who is trying to open a school herself. Eleanor is keen to speak with Mary, but racism prevails in her social group, Eleanor makes some missteps, but Mary finds an equal partner in advancing rights for the people in her community. As Eleanor's husband makes strides politically, Eleanor becomes a new kind of First Lady, fighting tirelessly alongside Mary to end lynching, segregation and advance Civil Rights for everyone.

I was amazed that I didn't know anything about the First Lady of the Struggle, Mary McLeod Bethune. The story of Eleanor and Mary is told through two equally amazing and thoughtful authors who each tackle the sections written from Mary and Eleanor's points of view. Highlighted throughout the story is Mary and Eleanor's unique friendship that is born out of mutual respect and understanding of each other's background and lives. Most of all, it seemed like the two women had a blast being together while working towards a larger goal. I was constantly amazed by Mary's tireless march toward equality and the many different ways she tackled racism. Eleanor's openness and willingness to face difficult conversations with Mary in order to begin to have an understanding of the racism that she faced everyday was refreshing. Many of these conversations still need to be had today. Eleanor's efforts to push her and Mary's combined efforts onto her husband and advance the United States were exemplary. Each point of view gave an intimate look into each woman's life while focusing on their main goals. It was astonishing to read how much Mary and Eleanor were able to get done while reminding myself of how much work we still need to do.

[wagner5sarah35 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was so excited to see that Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray were collaborating on another novel, as I absolutely loved their previous book The Personal Librarian. While I had some familiarity with Eleanor Roosevelt before reading this novel, I had never heard of Mary McLeod Bethune. This novel was eye-opening about the work these two remarkable women accomplished together, as they both worked to push the Roosevelt administration to be more inclusive for people of color. There were also moments when they fell short of their goal, and I appreciated this novel's attempts to understand how these characters would have felt and thought about those moments. A thoughtful and educational novel.

[janarose1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Mary McLeod Bethune, the daughter of enslaved parents, has fought to provide opportunities to African Americans. She has established a school, businesses, insurance companies, and other enterprises to serve her community. At a luncheon, she meets future first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. The two develop a friendship, and work together to promote black rights.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It seemed to focus more on Roosevelt than Bethune. I wanted to read more about Bethune and how she was able to force down barriers. The book seemed more about how Roosevelt used Bethune and her friendship. The book was well written, I just didn't like the focus. Overall, 3 out of 5.

[cassiesbooksreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The First Ladies by Marie Benedict; Victoria Christopher Murray is Historical Fiction. It includes historical details of racial changes, politics, prominent people, Mrs. Mary Bethune, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, and Bethune College in the early 20th Century. An interesting story that shows the development of the personal and public relationships between these First Ladies and the causes they embraced. I appreciated the important historical and political aspects depicted in this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. I appreciate the opportunity and thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read, enjoy and review this book. 4 Stars

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In that time and place, who could have imagined a friendship between a wealthy white woman whose husband was a major politician and a famous black educator who refused to be cowed by people who needed to pretend that they were ever so much better than she and others of her skin color. But they had a lot more in common than differences. The book is categorized as fiction because it contains conversations and private memories that were not documented for posterity. But the story is firmly rooted in truth, only made less intimidating. Over the course of the book Mrs. Bethune is instrumental in shoring up Eleanor's poor self image and Eleanor does what she can to improve race relations in that time. The more things change the more they stay the same.
Co-authored by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, it is presented with dual narrations that add to the understanding of the era and the special women involved in working for change.
I requested and received an EARC from Berkley Publishing Group/Berkley via NetGalley. Thank you!